title: The role of cone beam computed tomography in the management of unfavourable fractures following sagittal split mandibular osteotomy.
abstract: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been at the forefront of recent technological advances within the maxillofacial region. CBCT is useful in the accurate assessment and planning of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. We propose that it also has a role in the post-operative evaluation of a subgroup of patients who have suffered complications at the time of surgery. We present two cases where unfavourable splits occurred during a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible. Both cases were investigated post-operatively with CBCT with the aim of identifying the potential cause of the unfavourable split and to establish accurate localization of the condyle in the glenoid fossa following intra-operative attempts at proximal segment control. CBCT should be considered for evaluation of the mandible following an unfavourable split where it is deemed that plain radiographs would not provide adequate information.
authors.affiliation: University Dental Hospital, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Drage
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cronin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011378:Prognathism / Q000601:surgery; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult